September 22
Addressing the question, “What’s the use of story?”
Read TLA chapter 7
Analysis of Literacy Memoir Due (assignment sheet is here ...



1. Literacy Surveys - what did we find about ourselves and how might we discover what young people's literacy practices?

2. Frontloading for "change" unit - preparing for the literature we'll be reading
  • Autobiographical Writing - Prompt ... "Most people who are beginning their careers as teachers want to help change the lives and / or understandings of young people, and they often want to change the institution of schools. While we have already written about a literacy moment that has changed or refined your understanding of literacy, literature, or learning, first write here about a change that you’ve seen in another individual when that individual was participating in school (e.g. in class, in teams or organizations, in social settings). How does change happen? Why does change matter at certain times in our lives? Be specific, and remember to write about a real change that you yourself have witnessed or noticed."

Choral reading after we finish the sentence... "Change happens when - " and then "Change matters because - "
  • "Change" Opinionaire - Questions below




3. Thinking about possible themes you might use to frame the texts we're reading for your potential students


4. Discussing TLA Chapter 7 - Key quotes and ideas about narrative - Essential Understandings, Important to know or do, good to be familiar with

For next time, bring in copies of the Idaho Language Arts Reading Standards for 7th, 9th, and 11th grades found here
<http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/content_standards/language_standards.htm>




September 24
What do students need to know about literature and about literary analysis? Looking at the state standards

1. Frontloading "Change" continued ...
Identify whether you agree (A) or disagree (D) with each statement. Then choose one statement that you feel particularly strongly about and write a few sentences about what in your experience of the world leads you to feel this way.

_ 1. People are essentially the same and really do not change.

_ 2. Change is inevitable.

_ 3. Institutions, like schools or families or religions, can change.

_ 4. Change is difficult.

_ 5. Certain personality traits can hinder change.

_ 6. Some cultures resist change.

_ 7. Individuals can change others.

_ 8. Change is something you decide to do.

_ 9. If someone disagrees with the way you think things ought to be, the best thing to do is to keep trying to change their mind.

_ 10. You can’t expect a person to change his or her habits after you enter into a relationship with him or her.

_ 11. The best way to change things is from the ground-up, person-to-person, rather than from the top-down.

_ 12. You have to have some power in order to really change things.


2. Comparing standards across grade levels
Notice, Name, Apply


Grade 7
Grade 9
Grade 11
Reading Process - Goals 1.1 - 1.8



Comprehension / Interpretation - Goals 2.1 - 2.3



Writing Process - Goals 3.1 - 3.5





For next time ...
Read TLA Chapter 3
An Initial Memo of ideas for possible themes and questions you might want to use with your students and their reading of literature (Brainstorm list of at least five possible themes and associated questions)

In class we will be ...
  • Thinking about how to frame the reading of literature in secondary schools and connecting those possible frames with standards
  • Drafting a course description for your students